Full Notification

At around 8:39 am on Wednesday, January 4, Police Dispatch received reports of a single vehicle collision on Vanden Road at One Lake. Upon arrival, officers located the driver, a 19-year-old woman and resident of Fairfield. Unfortunately, she did not survive the crash.
 
According to witness statements and evidence gleaned by investigators at the scene, Vanden Road was partially flooded, due to heavy rain pummeling the area. The victim was traveling eastbound on Vanden Road when she encountered a patch of standing water and hydroplaned, losing control of the vehicle, before colliding into a utility pole.
 
Unfortunately, speed unsafe for conditions was likely the primary reason for the collision, with water on the road being a contributing factor.
 
The victim’s name is not being released by Fairfield Police Department, in consideration of the family.
 
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As rain is projected to continue throughout the weekend, Fairfield PD would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the dangers posed by water on roadways, and to advise drivers to take special precautions in the coming days.
 
First, please remember that the posted speed limit might be unsafe, based on the weather and driving conditions. When the roadways are wet, please slow down. The last thing you want to do is drive fast on water covered roads.
 
If you do have to cross water, drive in the center of the road – the highest point where water will likely be most shallow. Enter the water-logged crossing at 1-2 miles per hour, then drive at 3-4 miles per hour to avoid engine flooding. Once through the water, dry your brakes by braking lightly while driving very slowly.
 
Puddles can often be deeper than they appear. Less than one foot of water can float your vehicle. Six inches of water is enough to hit the bottom of most passenger cars, flooding the exhaust and causing your vehicle to stall.
 
Even if not that deep, standing water can cause vehicles to hydroplane which can be difficult course correct - especially for the inexperienced driver.
 
Finally, while not a factor in this case, please don’t be a bully on the road. Every car contains someone’s child, mother, father, sister, brother, or friend. Treat each other with the same amount of care you would want extended to your loved ones.

Previous Update:

One lane of eastbound traffic at Vanden is now open.

Original Release:

Fairfield Police are on the scene of a fatal one-vehicle, traffic accident at Vanden Road at One Lake. Eastbound Vanden Road will be closed for some time. We ask that the public avoid the area.

Westbound Vanden Road (towards Fairfield) will remain open.

Investigators are en route and there is no further information available at this time.